I make up to $2,700 in tips a week as a server. Dropping out of college was the best thing I could've done.

• Kyle Zajac, a 22-year-old server, earns thousands of tips weekly at an upscale steakhouse.
• Zajac dropped out of college to focus on a higher-paying server job and doesn't regret his choice.
• Despite unconventional hours, Zajac is content with his income and job flexibility.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kyle Zajac, a 22-year-old server based in Indianapolis. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Ever since my first shift as a restaurant server in 2020, I've tracked my hours and tips in an Excel spreadsheet.